Automotive Recalls Reached a Record High for the Third Year in a Row. Important Recalls to Know!

For the third year in a row, automotive recalls have reached record breaking numbers. Automobile manufactures recalled an all-time high of 53.2 million vehicles and enacted 927 recall campaigns in the United States last year. Make sure you’re up to date on the current big auto recalls!

Takata

According to the NHTSA, the Takata airbag recall that began last year is the largest and most complex safety recall in U.S. history, and is responsible for more than 42 million of the 52.3 million vehicles recalled last year. The recall is for frontal driver and passenger airbags that improperly inflate and send shrapnel into the occupant. The airbags can be found in 19 different popular automaker vehicles such as Honda, Toyota, and Mazda. So far, there have been 11 deaths and approximately 180 injuries in the U.S. due to the issue.

Ford

Ford is currently recalling more than 570,000 vehicles due to two separate problems. Approximately 360,000 Ford vehicles are being recalled after 29 reports of engine fires caused by a lack of coolant circulation. Ford is also adding 211,000 vehicles to a 2015 recall to replace faulty door latches that cause car doors to fly open unexpectedly.

Hyundai

Nearly 1 million Hyundai Sonatas and Sonata Hybrids have been recalled due to faulty installation of seatbelts during manufacturing. This error could cause the seatbelts to unexpectedly detach, and has led to at least one injury so far. The recall affects 2011-2014 Sonata models and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid models. Hyundai has plans to begin alerting owners of the recall by early April.

Mercedes-Benz

Over 300,000 U.S. Mercedes-Benz models have been recalled due to a defective fuse that caused over 30 fires. The fires occurred after numerous failed attempts to start the vehicles, which caused a current limiter in the starter motor to overheat and melt. This recall was announced in early March, and those affected should be notified by the end of the month.

General Motors

In September, General Motors recalled 4.3 million vehicles total, with more than 3.6 million in the U.S. alone. The recall is for a software problem that can potentially prevent airbags from deploying during a crash. The recall includes the 2014-2017 model years for Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles. The software defect has led to at least 1 death and 3 injuries.

Be sure to visit the NHTSA website at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls for more recall information. Then contact your dealer to get those defects fixed as soon as possible! Safe driving.